(Washington, DC) At 1:19 pm, Engine 16 was dispatched to a code-1 cardiac case at the US Veteran's' Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW. When firefighters arrived, they found a 49-year-old man in severe distress in the health room of the building. Ten minutes after the crew arrived, the man fell into cardiac arrest.

Members then applied an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and shocked the man's heart into regular rhythm. He regained consciousness then fell again into cardiac arrest some minutes later. By that time, Medic 3 arrived and applied another shock. The man did not respond. After another shock, the man again regained consciousness and was transported to the George Washington University Hospital, where medics said they left the man awake and talking, with a good prognosis. Congratulations to Engine 16's crew: Lt. James Seavey, David Williams, Richard Copeland and Ralph Thompson -- and to Medic 3's crew: Joe Funnyre and Carlos Pacileo.